Fridae

Syamsuir, the acting city secretary in Pekanbaru, Indonesia, wants residents to report suspected LGBT-related activity to the authorities.

In a city government statement published on 21 October, he asked Satpol PP, the municipal enforcement agency, to respond promptly to reports or findings within its authority and established procedures. He also called for coordination with Indonesia’s national police, Polri, and military, TNI.

Syamsuir addressed parents, religious leaders and educators too, calling on them to discourage LGBT-related behaviour. His remarks followed a video from Kafe Laksamana Muda that officials had described as LGBT-related.

The appeal reaches beyond the café. It asks residents across Pekanbaru to pass suspicions about other people to the authorities. The city statement does not explain how the privacy of people named in reports would be protected.

Fridae previously reported the summons issued to the café’s managers. Management has denied organising or facilitating an LGBT event and said it would cooperate with inquiries.

In a separate statement on 21 October, Satpol PP chief Desheriyanto said managers had already been questioned and their account formally recorded. The agency was still examining the video and had not reached a conclusion about the involvement of management or visitors.

The city’s reporting appeal does not announce a new offence or confirm a joint police-military operation.